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– ## Balancing_Confidentiality_and_Safety_Finalcopy.pdf **## Balancing_Confidentiality_and_Safety_Finalcopy.pdf** Balancing Confidentiality and Safety: My Experience Working with Domestic Violence Survivors Balancing Confidentiality and Safety: My Experience Working with Domestic Violence Su…
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– ## Balancing_Confidentiality_and_Safety_Finalcopy.pdf
**## Balancing_Confidentiality_and_Safety_Finalcopy.pdf**
Balancing Confidentiality and Safety: My Experience Working with Domestic Violence
Survivors
Balancing Confidentiality and Safety: My Experience Working with Domestic Violence
Survivors
Introduction
As a Victim Advocate for survivors of domestic violence, I’ve had to face some of the hardest
situations where safety and trust can collide. One of the most difficult parts of my job is when a
client shares something that could put them in danger, but they beg me not to tell anyone. This
paper talks about how I would handle a situation like that, using a case example of Maria, a
domestic violence survivor. It also shares my personal values, the values of social work, and how
I use Reamer’s Ethical Principles Screen to help guide decisions that are both safe and ethical.
The question that guides this paper is simple but heavy: how can social workers respect
confidentiality while also protecting clients from serious harm? My answer is that we can find a
balance by following the NASW Code of Ethics, thinking carefully through our decisions, and
working with supervisors and other professionals. I’ve learned that doing the right thing is not
about perfection, but about care, reflection, and honesty.
Personal Values
My personal values are respect, honesty, and compassion. I truly believe people should have a
voice in what happens in their lives, even in crisis. But when you work with survivors of
domestic violence, things get complicated fast. There have been times when I sat with a client
who told me something scary, and my heart wanted to protect them right away. At the same time,
I knew I had to respect their choices and build trust first. In one case, a client told me her partner
had a gun but didn’t want me to tell the police. I remember feeling torn. I didn’t want her to lose
faith in me, but I couldn’t stop thinking about her safety.
Being an advocate taught me that helping someone doesn’t always mean taking control—it
means standing beside them. Sometimes people aren’t ready to leave, and forcing them can make
things worse. So instead of trying to ‘save’ them, I’ve learned to listen, plan, and offer options.
Respecting someone’s pace is also a form of protection.
Professional Values
The NASW Code of Ethics talks about six main values: service, social justice, dignity and worth
of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence. These values guide
how we work with clients and how we make hard decisions. According to the NASW Code, our
first duty is to our clients, but we also have to act when someone faces serious danger.
As Segal, Gerdes, and Steiner (2019) wrote, “Social workers are committed to promoting social
justice and the dignity and worth of every person, even when facing complex ethical dilemmas”
(p. 42). I think about this quote a lot in my work. It reminds me that even when the situation is
complicated, the goal is always to protect life and dignity. Integrity means being honest with
clients about what I can and can’t keep confidential. Competence means being prepared—
knowing risk assessments, local laws, and resources for survivors.
Case Example
Maria is a 32-year-old mother of two. She came to a social worker after years of emotional and
physical abuse. She said her partner had threatened to kill her if she ever left. Maria begged the
social worker not to tell anyone because she was scared things would get worse if he found out.
This is the kind of situation that breaks your heart and tests your values.
I’ve worked with survivors like Maria. Many don’t call the police because they fear losing
housing, their children, or support from family. Others just aren’t ready to leave. When I safety
plan with clients, we focus on things they can control: code words with friends, keeping
important papers in a safe place, or knowing where they can go if they need to run. Those small
steps can save lives. But Maria’s case raises a big question—when does keeping a secret become
too dangerous?
Ethical Decision-Making with Reamer’s Ethical Principles Screen
Reamer’s Ethical Principles Screen helps social workers work through tough choices step by
step. Instead of reacting with fear or emotion, we slow down and think. Here’s how I’d use it for
Maria’s situation:
1. Identify the main problem. The dilemma is between confidentiality and safety.
2. Think about personal and professional values. My value of respect tells me to honor her
wishes. My value of safety—and the NASW’s value of service—tell me to protect her.
3. Look at the NASW Code of Ethics. It says we must protect privacy, but we can share
information if needed to prevent serious harm.
4. Consider the law and agency policy. If kids are at risk, there may be a legal duty to report.
Agency policy may also require talking to a supervisor.
5. Explore options and consequences. I could keep things private and continue safety planning,
or make a limited report if I believe her life is in immediate danger. Both choices carry risks.
6. Decide and act. I’d talk with my supervisor, assess risk, and tell Maria what I plan to do.
Being honest and respectful can help her feel less betrayed.
7. Reflect and document. I’d write down what happened, what I considered, and why I chose the
action I did.
Segal et al. (2019) said, “Social workers must often navigate the tension between respecting
client self-determination and ensuring safety, particularly in high-risk situations such as domestic
violence” (p. 210). That describes this case perfectly.
Reflection
Thinking about Maria’s story makes me remember many clients I’ve worked with. There’s never
an easy answer. I’ve felt the weight of wanting to keep someone safe while knowing that
breaking confidentiality could hurt our trust. Supervision has helped me so much in those
moments. Talking things out helps me stay calm and ethical instead of acting from panic.
Segal et al. (2019) said, “Ethical decision-making requires thoughtful consideration of personal
values, professional standards, and the context of the client system” (p. 215). That quote reminds
me to slow down and think about the full picture. Being reflective doesn’t mean I have all the
answers—it means I care enough to think things through. I’ve learned that real social work
happens in that gray area between rules and compassion.
Recognizing My Limits and Biases
I know I have biases that I need to check. Sometimes, my own fear for a client makes me want to
act fast, but that can make things worse. I also know that not all survivors have the same options.
Some don’t speak English, some fear deportation, and some can’t afford to leave. Understanding
how race, gender, and money affect safety helps me plan better with clients. Ethics isn’t one-
size-fits-all—it’s about seeing the whole person and their world.
Conclusion
Working with domestic violence survivors is never simple. Every decision feels personal and
heavy because lives are at stake. Balancing confidentiality and safety takes empathy, patience,
and clear thinking. Using Reamer’s Ethical Principles Screen and following the NASW Code of
Ethics helps me stay grounded. My experience as a Victim Advocate taught me that trust is
important, but safety always comes first. In the end, good social work means being human—
kind, careful, and willing to face hard choices with heart.
References
Congress, E. P. (1999). Social work values and ethics: Identifying and resolving professional
dilemmas. Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole.
National Association of Social Workers. (2021). Code of Ethics of the National Association of
Social Workers. Washington, DC: NASW Press.
Reamer, F. G. (2018). Ethical standards in social work: A review of the NASW Code of Ethics.
Washington, DC: NASW Press.
Segal, E., Gerdes, K., & Steiner, S. (2019). An Introduction to the Profession of Social Work
(6th ed.). Cengage.
Smith, J. A., & Thompson, L. (2017). Ethical dilemmas in domestic violence social work
practice. Journal of Social Work, 17(3), 245–260.
– Introduction
– Personal Values
– Professional Values
– Case Example
– Ethical Decision-Making with Reamer’s Ethical Principles Screen
– Reflection
– Recognizing My Limits and Biases
– Conclusion
**## Balancing_Confidentiality_and_Safety_Finalcopy.pdf**
Balancing Confidentiality and Safety: My Experience Working with Domestic Violence
Survivors
Balancing Confidentiality and Safety: My Experience Working with Domestic Violence
Survivors
Introduction
As a Victim Advocate for survivors of domestic violence, I’ve had to face some of the hardest
situations where safety and trust can collide. One of the most difficult parts of my job is when a
client shares something that could put them in danger, but they beg me not to tell anyone. This
paper talks about how I would handle a situation like that, using a case example of Maria, a
domestic violence survivor. It also shares my personal values, the values of social work, and how
I use Reamer’s Ethical Principles Screen to help guide decisions that are both safe and ethical.
The question that guides this paper is simple but heavy: how can social workers respect
confidentiality while also protecting clients from serious harm? My answer is that we can find a
balance by following the NASW Code of Ethics, thinking carefully through our decisions, and
working with supervisors and other professionals. I’ve learned that doing the right thing is not
about perfection, but about care, reflection, and honesty.
Personal Values
My personal values are respect, honesty, and compassion. I truly believe people should have a
voice in what happens in their lives, even in crisis. But when you work with survivors of
domestic violence, things get complicated fast. There have been times when I sat with a client
who told me something scary, and my heart wanted to protect them right away. At the same time,
I knew I had to respect their choices and build trust first. In one case, a client told me her partner
had a gun but didn’t want me to tell the police. I remember feeling torn. I didn’t want her to lose
faith in me, but I couldn’t stop thinking about her safety.
Being an advocate taught me that helping someone doesn’t always mean taking control—it
means standing beside them. Sometimes people aren’t ready to leave, and forcing them can make
things worse. So instead of trying to ‘save’ them, I’ve learned to listen, plan, and offer options.
Respecting someone’s pace is also a form of protection.
Professional Values
The NASW Code of Ethics talks about six main values: service, social justice, dignity and worth
of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence. These values guide
how we work with clients and how we make hard decisions. According to the NASW Code, our
first duty is to our clients, but we also have to act when someone faces serious danger.
As Segal, Gerdes, and Steiner (2019) wrote, “Social workers are committed to promoting social
justice and the dignity and worth of every person, even when facing complex ethical dilemmas”
(p. 42). I think about this quote a lot in my work. It reminds me that even when the situation is
complicated, the goal is always to protect life and dignity. Integrity means being honest with
clients about what I can and can’t keep confidential. Competence means being prepared—
knowing risk assessments, local laws, and resources for survivors.
Case Example
Maria is a 32-year-old mother of two. She came to a social worker after years of emotional and
physical abuse. She said her partner had threatened to kill her if she ever left. Maria begged the
social worker not to tell anyone because she was scared things would get worse if he found out.
This is the kind of situation that breaks your heart and tests your values.
I’ve worked with survivors like Maria. Many don’t call the police because they fear losing
housing, their children, or support from family. Others just aren’t ready to leave. When I safety
plan with clients, we focus on things they can control: code words with friends, keeping
important papers in a safe place, or knowing where they can go if they need to run. Those small
steps can save lives. But Maria’s case raises a big question—when does keeping a secret become
too dangerous?
Ethical Decision-Making with Reamer’s Ethical Principles Screen
Reamer’s Ethical Principles Screen helps social workers work through tough choices step by
step. Instead of reacting with fear or emotion, we slow down and think. Here’s how I’d use it for
Maria’s situation:
1. Identify the main problem. The dilemma is between confidentiality and safety.
2. Think about personal and professional values. My value of respect tells me to honor her
wishes. My value of safety—and the NASW’s value of service—tell me to protect her.
3. Look at the NASW Code of Ethics. It says we must protect privacy, but we can share
information if needed to prevent serious harm.
4. Consider the law and agency policy. If kids are at risk, there may be a legal duty to report.
Agency policy may also require talking to a supervisor.
5. Explore options and consequences. I could keep things private and continue safety planning,
or make a limited report if I believe her life is in immediate danger. Both choices carry risks.
6. Decide and act. I’d talk with my supervisor, assess risk, and tell Maria what I plan to do.
Being honest and respectful can help her feel less betrayed.
7. Reflect and document. I’d write down what happened, what I considered, and why I chose the
action I did.
Segal et al. (2019) said, “Social workers must often navigate the tension between respecting
client self-determination and ensuring safety, particularly in high-risk situations such as domestic
violence” (p. 210). That describes this case perfectly.
Reflection
Thinking about Maria’s story makes me remember many clients I’ve worked with. There’s never
an easy answer. I’ve felt the weight of wanting to keep someone safe while knowing that
breaking confidentiality could hurt our trust. Supervision has helped me so much in those
moments. Talking things out helps me stay calm and ethical instead of acting from panic.
Segal et al. (2019) said, “Ethical decision-making requires thoughtful consideration of personal
values, professional standards, and the context of the client system” (p. 215). That quote reminds
me to slow down and think about the full picture. Being reflective doesn’t mean I have all the
answers—it means I care enough to think things through. I’ve learned that real social work
happens in that gray area between rules and compassion.
Recognizing My Limits and Biases
I know I have biases that I need to check. Sometimes, my own fear for a client makes me want to
act fast, but that can make things worse. I also know that not all survivors have the same options.
Some don’t speak English, some fear deportation, and some can’t afford to leave. Understanding
how race, gender, and money affect safety helps me plan better with clients. Ethics isn’t one-
size-fits-all—it’s about seeing the whole person and their world.
Conclusion
Working with domestic violence survivors is never simple. Every decision feels personal and
heavy because lives are at stake. Balancing confidentiality and safety takes empathy, patience,
and clear thinking. Using Reamer’s Ethical Principles Screen and following the NASW Code of
Ethics helps me stay grounded. My experience as a Victim Advocate taught me that trust is
important, but safety always comes first. In the end, good social work means being human—
kind, careful, and willing to face hard choices with heart.
References
Congress, E. P. (1999). Social work values and ethics: Identifying and resolving professional
dilemmas. Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole.
National Association of Social Workers. (2021). Code of Ethics of the National Association of
Social Workers. Washington, DC: NASW Press.
Reamer, F. G. (2018). Ethical standards in social work: A review of the NASW Code of Ethics.
Washington, DC: NASW Press.
Segal, E., Gerdes, K., & Steiner, S. (2019). An Introduction to the Profession of Social Work
(6th ed.). Cengage.
Smith, J. A., & Thompson, L. (2017). Ethical dilemmas in domestic violence social work
practice. Journal of Social Work, 17(3), 245–260.
– Introduction
– Personal Values
– Professional Values
– Case Example
– Ethical Decision-Making with Reamer’s Ethical Principles Screen
– Reflection
– Recognizing My Limits and Biases
– Conclusion